davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25
o OIL PEOPLE
Ons Centenarian and . Wonderful Buslnes
Woman Of 'O7.

One Centenarian and . Wonderful Business
Woman Of 81.
Troy. Dec. 15.-Margaret Emperor, an
inmate Of the county house here, Is 103 years
old. but is In . very feeble condition. Until
about six weeks ago she resided with her son,
Thomas Emperor. at 1s1 North First street.
She was childish and very obstinate. and her
children, who are In humble circumstances,
sent her to the institution on Sept. 81. She
was born in county Kerry, Ireland, in October,
1884. She is deaf, and her eyesight is poor.
Mrs. Deborah Powers OF L~ansingburgh is 81
years old. Her maiden name was Ball, and she
first saw the ligh Of day at Hebron, N; A., Aug.
Powers, a school teacher. and soon afterward
moved to La%nsingburgh. making the journey
n q common road wagon. A few years after
ed on q small scale In the manufacture Of oil
cloth; He was very successful. One day a ves-
sci filled with varnish boiled over, and In at
was fatally burned. The widow, however. took
up tho business. and even to this day she takes
an actiSe interest IN It, as well as in public af-
the mother Of Albert +. and Nathaniel B. Pow.
ers, and II addition to her interest in one Of the
head Of the Lansingburgh banking house Of d.
po @aesna Of n Ssr lifs E IN sh hs city Ra snd IN m is xasiGtsr
VAS born at steetbri SdSss!Mda Mass s.ie Aug ae Is. 1s sa:
good GO" Il He "a fEs and q hs ss1 men Staii f ses IL n ars aa nn,
is tho mother Of. Elisha Waters. the %weli.knoWn
mMSP aagsret fit 81 eaRsr S boass; in Limerick, Ire.
land. Ia April. 1871. lives on Fourteenth street
In this city and came to Troy about fifty
Of her age. She has several children. two OF
whom are nearly 70 years OF age.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25
4 r
Mrs.. james Peck. 101 Years OLE, Keeps
House and Garden fer her Husbaad.

Mrs.. Janes Peck, 1O1 Years OLE, Keeps
House aad Garden fer her Husband.
WATERFOWL, N. Y, Dec. 15.-The Oldest
person in Jefferson County is Mrs. James Peck.
OF Redwood, who was born in Bonham, Eng
land. March 10, 1857. Besides this, Mrs. Peck
Is, without doubt. the smartest centenarian
in the State. When called upon by a Sun re-
porter she was as active as the average woman
at three score, barring her sufferings from in
juries accidentally received during the past
few years. Three years G she started to
walk to her daughters residence. five miles
distant When on the way she broke through
the ice when crossing q pool Of water. and
tbs o1d la ssr f haa th about mi. E ! yss se 6 &c
fall down stairs. breaking two ribs. These
injuries still cause, pain and, lameness,
h%ousework. for herself and her. husband, who
u an inyalid suffering from Bright's, disease.
f sae h said ar .nns w cfothe ess sh ws did her was Wss ,sEHEa and
three meals ior herself and husband. shss
is a model q Comfort and ne attn ss!'r The w stoSe
was neatly blacked. and she said she made 1t
E Rss e ss ness as 50 o p9llsh 81 I. d sss5y as he door ns5 p Ssiss
own hand, during ths past year: Her beds
weaving. When not otherwise engaged Mrs.
Peck ,sews and reads without the aid Of glasses.
She mas worked q garden the past summer
planting, hoeing. and gathering the crop. The
garden includes something over one-fourth OF
an acre Of land. and to-day there is not anoth-
er plot OF ground In the town that shows signs
OF. better or moro careful tillage.
Mrs. Peck said her maiden name was Mary
Maitz. She was christened in a church In Eng
land when eight days odd. She was expert with
the sickle, and was able to keep up with the
best reapers; She was OF medium height. with
fair complexion. dark eyes, and jet-black hair,
and in all the country around she was the belle
Bonhsm. to William Evans. From this union
she became the mother Of fourteen children,
eleven girls and three boys. Seven daughters
and one son are still living.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25
TIE SUN, SUNDAY, DECEMBER q. lasz-sIxrEEN PAGES.

noted. voyage In the ship Neptune. Uncle Ike
says he was. 10. years old when he got back
from "whalln.." As Capt. Green's date OF
sailing was two years later, the date Of the
centenarian's birth seems fairly we'll estab-
lished as having taken place In ITS. The
aged- man speaks OF what he saw among the
Pacific islands, Of the natives who camo SWIM
ming out from land and wanted to. board the
ship, and. Of the desire Of the sailors to 20
ashore. From his. description, the islands he
saw were the Sandwich Islands, on which, q
few years before, Capt. Cook was, killed By the
alIpdes 70 Cook as the %English Captain.",--
He continued to mako voyages, on whalers
and merchantmen OF Nantucket and the Vine
yard, until 1922. whom he became q coastwise
boatman, combining himself to the shores OF
Long Island, and an OCCASIONAL trip to Con-
sickness. prevented hts earning. money, and
finally, finding himself high and dry on the
shoals of want, with no prospect Of fair
tides floating. him OF. at the age Of sc. he
obtained admission to the Town House."
Soon afterward he became physically disabled
and for many years could not help himself;
Years OF careful, treatment have ,rejuvenated
him, and, aided by second sight, he improved
the hours In sewing on flannel garments, dis
playing skill In the use OF the needle. He secs
without glasses, and has done. so for more than
twenty years. He speaks in husky tones, but
intelligently. and his power Of hearing Is won
derfully acute.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25
IN OLD
Mrs. Sands. who Turned her Tlnw1 - sute
Cantecns In 1919.

Mrs. Sands. who Turned her Tlnwr - suto
Cantecns In 1919.
BALTIMORE, Dec. 15.-Much has been said
and written OF Maryland's old defenders, OF
whom there are now but two survivors, and
who have on every recurring 18th Of September
been honored for the part they took in defend
ing the city from the British invader; but not
until recently. was It generally known that
there was still living q lady who not only ante:
played a prominent part in her country's his
dame is Mrs. ElizabetR sands: She S sasi born
withstanding her 90 years. her faculties are
unlmpaired, and she has a vivid memory. In
o oefy 8 s years. e,e 81 ase 90 she fem romped i've WITH HIKE gsr S som.
panions on the grounds adjoining her home.
Her school days are also constantly before hes,
at that time When only is She was united in
marriage to Mr.; Peter Smick. a timer. and tho
y Tb.n tho iS1P asr li bsoke in out AnniHP s4 su antil 1si L.
instead Of being provided with a gun, was em.
ware. lie contracted bilious fever and died:
The widow. with four children to look after.
at once took I. d charge Of The business; but had 9
day that, though the, soldiers occupied her
premises and utilized her property. not q
Unlike tho other old defenders. she was not
granted a pension, After remaining q widow
Tor eleven years, she married Thomas Sands.
She possesses q constitution that q much
younger woman might envy. There is not .
slightly defective, and her sight is not Of the
best. but she attends to work about the house
without apparent exertion. She can climb up
and dow stairs, without assistance, cleans her
own room. makes the beds. and then sits
down to the table and eats Q square meal with
relish. MI. Warner says she is exceedingly
has not q tooth In her head can thoroughly
masticate her food with, her hardened gums.
When not engaged in Homework she passes
her time sewing, rag carpets. Seated In her
wide armchair she handles. a needle as deity
as u youthful seamstress. She was engaged Ia
this OCCUPATION on the 18th Of last September
a bangcup dinner. She washed It down S.a' with
champagne, She has never had any stomach
trouble. and often expresses surprise that peo-
pie should suffer with Indigestion. Now and
then her granddaughter takes her along when
she goes out shopping. but cannot persuade
the old lady to enter an elevator. She has six
teen, grandchildren. thirty-nine grsat-grand-
children. and nine MISREPRESENTATION.
Besides these there are ever so many nieces
and nephews. grand. grsat-grand, and great
great grand.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25
PREACHED 70 THREE eHxEaA71oNs
The Rev. David Lsthrop HUM. AIRED 90. and
stiIi Active snd Vigorous.

Tha Rev. David Lsthrop HUM. AGED 90. and
san Active and Vigorous.
BUFFALO, Dec. 15.-There are many per-
soma in this city and It's vicinity whose G
borders on the century, and two OF them are OF
interest away from here. One is Mrs. Layinia
Fillmore. whose celebration OF her Tooth birth
day at Clarence on Aug. IS was almost q ma
tional event, and the other Is the Rev. David
Lathrop Hum. who celebrated his 98th birth
day on Nov. 8. Tho Rev. Mr.. HUM is the old
est liying. graduate OF Yale College, and Is be-
leved to DO the. oldest clergyman In the United
States, He is about six feet tall, straight, and
checks and sightless eyes his age would be
guessed at 10. for his hair Is. not very gray, his
mind Is clear, and his speech. is free and accu-
rate. Except for his blindness he ia as well physi-
cal!ly rs most men q score Of years younger.
There were eighty who were entered in my
class at Yale in 1903, but only seventy. gradu-
ated. One. or two became sick and died, some
were expelled, others wont away. and l am the
only one. alive. DR.. Dwight died about two
Is the President OF the college"
Mr.. Hum takes an interest In current poltti-
cal and social events, and occasionally attends
the North Presbyterian Church.
Mr.. HUM Is Q widower and has seven chill
Since his eiehty-sixth birthday Mr.. Hum has
preached at Sandwich to tho children and
grandchildren OF his former practitioners. The
old. clergyman inherits Puritanical notions,
and one OF the strongest Of these .is ar aver
ertook to obtain some information from him.
he absolutely refused to talk about anything
for publication In a Sunday paper.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25
an ELMIRA CENTENARIAM.
Nary AcMahon OF IRELAND. who 10 Feeble
After los Years or Life.

Mary Mcmahon OF IRELAND. VIC 10 Feeble
After o Years OF Life.
ELMRA, Dec. 15.-MY. Mary McMahon
Is probably tho oldest person In the Chemung
valley, which has been noted for the great age
attained by a few Of its inhabitants. Mrs.
McMahon lives In the ~strictsst seclusion and
few Elmirans, outside of the Immediate neigh
bors. are aware of her existence. Five
years ago she had Q stroke OF paralysis,
and has been Q cripple ever since.
Mrs; Mcmahon, whose maiden name was
Mary Fox, was born In Kilmurry. county Clare,
ireland, IN 1855, descending from sturdy Irish
stock. The exact month and day OF the month
ords before Mary was old enough to carry the
date In her mind. She received a good educa-
ton at parish schools and seminaries. When
about twenty she married Martin Mcmahon.
Ho was q farmer. and eleven children were
born to them ip Ireland. eight boys and three
Shortly after his death, Mrs. McMa6on went to
England and then came to America. and TWEEN
ty years ago settled on Harper street within a
stones throw OF, her present home. or the
eight children who grew to maturity Ave are
Known to be still living; Martin, the eldest OF
the childrsn, has been lost track Of for several
KfS %o 81 t Il li sons 81 hs M T. a SsM. shishty y years r. S 9id;
York city and have families. Three children, u
son and two daughters, livein Elmira. Michael
MoMahon is q gardner and has charge Of Wis
nSr PARK. He is over sixty.
MIS-. McMahon has generally been "early to
eaten ssa nth The sa Usual y ya slssi q afAfs oo %or Hsr t astS' l ans
since disappeared, but without tho aid Of ar
tthcial teeth she is still able to masticate her
food. She has used tea and coffee in modera-
ton. For many years she has used snuf.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25
Tribulations Of = Jersey Yacht Club.
From the Philddelphia Tele1r1ph

MT. HOLLY, N. j., Dec. 2l.-From the start
the Moorestown Yacht Club has been u%nfortu-
nate. 1t was organized by several gentlemen
OF Moorestown, all of whom were landsmen, Ave
club devoted to the purchase Of a fine schooner
y~acht-which was commodious enough to fur
nish accommodations for all tho members OF
the club. But bad luck seemed to have the cali
all the time, When the yacht was launched
the Gpmm3dore's deg got under the ways to
shape. After that things went from bad to
worse. The cook clipped with the anchor, the
yacht sprung, a leak. and the Treasurer re-
have got a lawsuit on their hands. and judg-
ment was entered against the trustees in the
chances Of the Clubs winding up In the Court
Of Chancery. The stockholders fear they viii
have to make good the deficit now existing,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25
The Hospital Collection.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: As It
is important that the public should not be In
error about one or two fundamental positions
Of the Hospital Saturday and Sunday Associa-
ton. concerning which an erroneous idea is
Just now current. we think it right and neces-
sary to state explicitly what the real position
Of the association is respecting the same.
Owing to a change in the constitution. BY
which the clause was stricken out which COM
mitted the association to the stimulating and
fostering" OF designated gifts. 1t has been In
ferred that designated gifts will be no longer
received. This Is a mistake. and the position
Of the association. regarding this matter Is
best stated by quoting u passage from It's last
appeal. which reads:
fund. Which win 6 DIVIDED Among sS"s' the a asso ee. sens sosl
pitfalls on tho easi. Of free care for the sick poor; GiIts
siiy q .a:h sit,s vii b d.iSS to5wsrdsa s !Se Tr.@..
donor.
Another wrong impression Is that in the dis
f dactnd iro OF t dss,s e0i,eetio git; 20 PEI Per cent cent; Is h.; dc;
that before any distribusiiop IS made by ye tie
Distributing, Committee all designated gifts
d are ssnt fn In T 5Sil te sbs the h9WSR Bstass for r which the is
known. as the undesignated or general fund.
which is then placed at the disposal of the Dis
associated hospitals according to the free work
done by each.
de Mesa; sGx si Z 1899 aRE h OF more. h the r6fS isiTibu T.
ing. Committee has taken that f~actinto account,
citation subtracted as per cent. of the value asSD,
of such designated gifts from the sum which
would have otherwise come to such hospital
and the amounts thus withdrawn have been
divided In equal proportions among the ten or
collection.
This discretion on the part OF the committee
was given and is exercised because OF the fact
have been greatly favored In the way OF special
designations. while the majority received little
or nothing from this source; and as the smaller
hospitals, owing to their limited finances, could
accomplish but a small amount, Of free work, 1t
was obvious that their share In the distribu-
ued interest and activity in the work of the
association.
GEORGE MAccULLoCH MILLER, President.
CHARLES LANIER, Treasurer,
Hospital Saturday and Sunday Association.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25

years. old. and she died only four years ago.
Time taH his d esd '"t She ." was ones sv married. and
seven OF fourteen children are living. She fs Q
,srss T Ssp %.l Phyfs5s sIns ita sRs 80 SSl peu ISil Her asr
health lsslsnt T. ;a gN;Cd, and she !. bids IBID, b fair m; assoTGip Wos to
Betsey Sargent Of Canterbury. N. H.. q. the
only centonarian IN tho list collected by THE
syn who has never married. She was 100 {ears
ofits ORIGINAL dark color, and she still possesses
s sssn 1 5iSr'l and sie shs s l. Sy,s sei n sas s ss lssSis e
nf Mrs. srfMas sr age Mann EGmia q isa oa Ioe 70 \. f. Pts Is a very
many months. Her age is lo1 years and sig
wife, Her two children fear that she cannot
much longer survive the rapidly increasing In
Giles Benson is anegro Of Castloton. Vt. who
Siaa%s IS g ~ IL ne si psln pt 81 his i"s yss Is ssas q !
worked for his father. Q farmer: The negro
Is isAi now q = h sIni s"e old man n J. whose days are
plainly numbered. .,.
James Works Of waterford, VI, viii be loI
Of IS. alter they had been aity-three years mar
rIed. His native town Is Westmoreland, n. II.
more 81, less work about the, place where he
lives. Until last summer his hand was steady
enough for him to shave himself. He never
used liquor or tobacco.
Mrs. Angelina Counter OF Rochester, Vt. is 9
OF trial, p~rivation, and excessive toll. She was
born april ID, 1887, at Three. Rivers, Province
OF Quebec; She married In 1904. and In l8l2
moved to Westport. N. Y. During the war In
that year three OF her children were killed BY
Indians. OF fourteen. children In all, seven
have met violent deaths. She is now greatly
enfeebled, aud Is living In circumstances almost
Of restitution.
years, is at the head, Of Q family of Ave gen
erations,, at Barre, Vt She was born at Jaf.
children OF Elias Whitney. Most OF her young
or years were spent in Massachusetts, towns,
and at the age OF II she married John, Wood at
Milford, and two years after the couple. moved
to Barre. whore she has ever since lived. Her
descendants who still, live include three sons
and one daughter, thirty.two grandchildren,
thirty-two great.Rrandchildren, and several
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25
AGED "
Hale and Vigorous Huslness Men Who Have
Borrowed n Score OF Years from Time.

Hale and Vigorous Buslness Men Who Have
Borrowed n Score OF Years from Time.
GREENWICH, Dec. 15.-There are in Green
witch from fifteen to twenty mon far enough
past the threescore-and-tsn mark in years to
have been men in active life seventy years ago.
Every one Of these mon Is vigorous and active,
and the larger number are still pursuing their
business occupations. A noticeable character
istic Of all is that they do not show their ages
by from fifteen to twonty years.
David Banks Is a farmer In the northwestern
part Of the town.. He is 90 years old. but any
fine day this fall he might have been seen In
his orchard gathering apples. Not one Of his
faculties seems impaired. He stoops a little.
MANI Ma'l His home Sni1 Is ss SOUND d an Bsash, sna RI mas
chimney, corner smoking, o cigar. he is Sc
an arrow. Ho nevor wears stockings. even In
t the c9 hS. weather IN winter: Daily he walks
t dlstan n.s 6 aH sfs m 1S the landing and returns a
years old. but he does not look P 70. liz Y Is .
shaven T face. He I has an ir 9sie Viii. T he is g cashier sissn
Of the Greenwich Savings Bank, and is often In
S SsE Sas sS Seen II The s deisnssn FIR IN t b fa Sanh;; br nats1y
road, and has fought every legal step OF the
lar attendant at Christ Church than Mr.. Banks;
IN summer and winter. heat or cold, lie is al
w" !SSf. f Rh be 1Ssn a Il hi s Dsw; from a LONG line
Of ancestors who have lived to n good old age.
He Is 81 years old. For years he was a cattle
dealer, and his farm was the rendezvous for
all cattle drivers on the way with their drovos
to New York. in years gone by. Through an
inJuryto his eyes some years ago his sight Is
impaired; otherwise he isa marvellously we'll
stories Of the British Gen. lyons INVASION.
tionary. times. Col. Mead's home 1. the most
delightfully."- located OF any place along the
old Boston post road. a clear and unobsiructed
view being had Of Long Island Sound for miles
In either direction. It is directly opposite the
summer residence Of Broker Z; 3: Benedict,
grocer. has retired to Greenwich to enjoy the
remainder Of his days with his children. He is
tenant IN tho old Ninth Regiment Of New York.
He will be found almost any fine day
at his fnvorite snort In a boat In the harbor.
Old Boss" Newman, so-called by everybody
In Mianus. Is So years old. He is an Andrew
Of the visit Of Lafayette to the Upper Land
The thi, Igpper handins"fo for ltty years, end hin.
freight depot. He is beardless. fat, and Jolly.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25

Thomas @. Hsace and Other Old Folks Of
Ontario and Wayne Counties.

Ontario and Wayne Counties.
PALMYRA, N. Y, Dec. 15.-"Uncle" Thomas
G. Hance Of Macsdon Centre Is now 100 years
OF age. and a truly remarkable specimen of O
contenarian. He is a little deaf, and his eye
sight has been impaired by long hours OF read
Ing in his old age. but otherwise he would pass
for a man OF 80 or 81. He keeps track OF his
sons farm. but n do any manual labor.
Henry A. Taylor Of C~anandaigus. who is 05
years OF age is the best preserved man for his
KKS Saws n this Is Pp%r ! q the nn, county; .. E,ySsryIhS0d1
graduate OF Yale College. and Is planning to
visit 9is alma mattel, az commencement time
Lafayette was u guest when no visited America,
and Is a very decided Democrat. In the spring
and summer he will at almost any, time join
6sT boots, poles and Tssis. VIII wade streams an
and sateh fish with a fly as deity as any one.
DS SaEn d 81 l | In q ssl Williamson xihsi has jus. turned
% years Of age, He and his wife celebrated
August and 1t was a famous family reunion.
Uncle Johns son, aged 67, was there, besides
A., and her son, who was married this year.
sbiIS, w there Sa besides q d. m one grsas-rrsSt-xEanE.
from 1914, until 1854. and he thinks hat farm.
h: a cssh M = s seesd irst ior rn Ja nss,'S Madison
for President In 1912. and was q delegate In the
ton tha. nominated Henry Clayin 1874.
person. She Is 80 years Of age. and in full pos.
session OF her faculties, although feeble. and
In 1.-THE viii age of Newark, Wayne county. Elias
Howell claims TO be the Oldest man In town, and
one Of the Oldest farmers anywhere In this re-
runs his large farm ms carefully and econom-
ically as twenty years ago; He drives about
tue country 70 the grist mills and grain deal
erS and to visit as lively rs a mere lad OF fifty.
In bargains he is as shrswd . man as can be
In Newark. He was. born on the farm
there was no end Of bears, psnihers. and Wild
esss u the woods q Wsyps and optsIj9 coup.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-25
Renewing Excre.cence. by Electricity.

~" 't hSN't AVNSf cav
A friend was telling me OF his own and his
wife's experience m N having moIes and wens re-
m riShlt shoulder amIis Ha 2 b an fish, in 4 the form Of a large
practically made 1t impossible for her to wear
ball or evening dresses, which would reveal her
heard, OF the electric operations. and. obtaining
the address q the surgeon who performs them,
Els Els O TsSs T snd sab met sa' b. tSe d aa9wlisase f. e
by the needles with which the mole WAS per-
leaving The shoulder perfectly white. and with
discoloraiion had been. A new skin formei
fish there now. success Inspired her to Insist
ion On . more defeats part on. q his sG" se Gsona-
namely hsd bis Is, nose, He thus I } n;t tells his story:
wen, Which grew With my years u until i I became eSaui
my cou9tenancs; Il was about the size Of :
color from time to time. and would grow to be
9 frlghtful sanGpinary red Whenever In
s sg9s. 1 9 esSs " Sit fs wa1i' Il and al ! liiaSSrs q Of { an! any
scribins me once suggested that this object
treaty 10 her surgeon, and asked him I'LL could sni
that 1t might be II / would not look upon the
born g. He examined further, and at once
He bathed, my nose, first OF all. In cocaine.
IT grew cold at first, then became perfectly
numb: IS though asleep from lack Of %circula-
then applied, an electric needle to the won,
sticking 1t through, and through. as near the
bali an hour was consumed In the operation.
whenever he Increased the current Of cleo
trieity saw, billions OF stars, and sparks
seemed TO crack with each spark that an.
parently flew rom them. When the operation
was completed the wen WAS black, no longer
red, and more unsightly than over. He nut
aesh-colorsd court plaster, over 1t and kept il
there Tor ABOUT 2 week. Then In washing II OF
akin ssie r tSsms &. and KSH can ahl barely see ssmsls